Gate latch



Aug. 3, 1937. O OLSON 2,088,757

GATE LATCH Filed July 29, 1956 OLLE OLJO/V //Vl//V TOR A 7' TORNEY Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNITED STATES GATE LATCH Qlle Olson, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 29,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved gate latch and has, for one of its principal objects, the provision of a simple yet efiicient latch for gates or the like which shall, in addition to performing the usual latching function, also provide a looking element and a support for certain types of gates such as tail gates on wagons or trucks.

One of the important objects of this invention is the provision in a gate latch or a gravityoperated element which shall automatically and effectively latch or fasten a gate, door, cover or similar element While, at the same time, allowing of a ready opening thereof when desired.

Another and further important object of the invention is to provide a latching element which is so constructed that it can be used in combination with a positive locking means such as a padlock or the like.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawing and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is shown in the drawing and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an end view of a tail gate or end closure for a wagon or truck showing two of the improved latches of this invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 1, showing the gate in closed position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the gate in open position yet supported at a horizontal level.

Figure 4 is an illustration of the gate in completely open position.

Figure 5 is a combined sectional and top plan view taken on the line 55 of Figure 3, looking in 40 the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a side View of the latch of this invention, showing the same as a unit for application to any desired structure.

Figure '7 is a front view of the structure illus- 45 trated in Figure 6.

As shown in the drawing:

The reference numeral I0 indicates generally the improved latching element of this invention, the same comprising a metal band which is 50 doubled over into a flattened loop and with the ends bent into a hook form as best shown at l2 in Figure 2, these ends being then welded or otherwise securely fastened together.

This loop is then placed in desired position by passing a bar or pin l4 therethrough, the pin be- 1936, Serial No; 93,191

ing then securely fastened into side plates [6 as illustrated. These side plates are in pairs as will be evident and are fastened in desired position to opposed faces of some housing structure which is desired to be closed or locked, such as the sides of a wagon or truck body 68. Screws.

bolts orrivets 20 serve to fasten the bars or plates I 6 together.

Cooperating with the truck body portions I8 is a tail gate or the like 22 hinged as is usual at 24 and having openings 26 therein through which the projecting ends of the bars Hi are adapted to pass when the gate is in uppermost or closed position. The openings 26 are of such size that the elements H] can pass therethrough when in the position shown in Figure 3, but when the locking elements I!) are in a vertical position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gate 22 will be effectively latched in closed position.

Adapted to cooperate with the latching ele- 20 ments I!) are a pair of metal straps or loops 28 which are hingedly mounted on a bar 30 which passes longitudinally through the gate near the outer edge thereof. Obviously, some other supporting means for the elements 28 may be used if desired. Grooves 32 are formed in the outer end of the gate opposite from the pivotal mountings of the elements 28 so that the same may drop down into a vertical position as shown in Figure 4 when the gate is allowed to assume such a lowermost position.

The gate 22 when in uppermost and closed position is fastened in such relationship with the sides l8 of the truck body or the like by simply moving the latching elements It) into vertical position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and padlocks or the like 34 may be employed to assure a locking relationship.

In order to open the gate, the padlocks, if any, are removed, after which the latching elements It are moved into a position approximating that shown in Figure 3, whereupon the gate 22 can be moved outwardly and downwardly on account of the fact that the openings 26 are sufiiciently large to allow of free passage of the elements In therethrough, and at the same time, gravity will cause the hooks [2 at the ends of the latch elements II] to engage with the corresponding ends of the straps or loops 28 whereby the gate will be held in a horizontal position as shown in Fig ure 3. If it is desired to drop the gate altogether, the hooks I2 are simply disengaged from the straps 28 whereupon the device assumes the position shown in Figure l, and the straps 28 will drop into an almost vertical position on account of the countersunk grooves 32, thereby preventing any possibility of breaking over or damaging the straps by undesired contact with boxes, bales or other packages which may be loaded into the truck.

A simplified form of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 wherein a latching element 40 in loop shape without the hook at the end is employed,gthis passing through an opening in the end of a bar 42, which bar is adapted to fit through a slot in a plate 44, which plate can be fastened onto a door or some other movable element, and the bar 42 can be fastened onto-a door frame or some other element cooperating with the structure upon which the plate "M is afiixed. v

It will be evident that herein is provided a gate latch or the like, which, in addition to being simple and easy of manufacture, is also strong and rugged, while possessing the further advantage of being readily operated. The automatic supporting feature, which comes into play in conjunction'with tailgates or the like, also constitutes a valuable addition. Furthermore, the more simplified form is readily applicable to many situations wherever a closure is employed and embodies either a simple latching structure or can be used to advantage with an actual locking device of practically any type. I

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A gate latch, comprising a flattened loop of metal, a supporting element for the loop comprising a bar having an opening therein into which the loop is loosely fitted, and a cooperating element comprising a plate on the gate through which the bar and loop can pass, together with a hook at one end of the loop, said hook being formed at and composed of the joined ends of the loop. 2. A gate latch, comprising a flattened loop of metal, a supporting element for the loop comprising a bar having an opening therein into which the loop is loosely fitted, and a cooperating element comprising a plate through which the bar and loop'c'an pass while the loop is in one position, and which elements are retained in latched relationship when the loop is in a reverse position, together with a, hook at one end of the loop, sai,d hook being formed at and composed of the joined ends of the loop, a housing structure upon which the bar and loop are mounted,

.and a hinged closure for the housing upon which the plate is adapted to be mounted, a supporting strap on the closure, said strap adapted to cooperate with the hoo-ked endof the loop upon downward and outward movement of the closure, and countersunk grooves for-the reception and disposal of the strap upon further downward movement of the closure.

OLLE OLSON. 

